Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Yemeni Government, World Bank to Discuss Reconstruction

Riyadh- The Yemeni government and the World Bank are due to discuss Wednesday a document prepared by the bank on the reconstruction of Yemen, amid preliminary estimates that the cost of this project may amount up to $80 billion (SR 300 billion) as an impact of the devastation caused by the war.

Yemeni Minister of Industry and Trade Dr. Mohammed al-Maitami told Asharq Al-Awsat that his country’s government, represented by several ministries, will hold a meeting in Riyadh with experts from the World Bank.

The private sector will participate in the meeting, which will tackle the recovery and reconstruction process, Maitami said.

He explained that the meeting will discuss a document prepared by the World Bank several months ago in partnership with the brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council, entitled “Detailed Plan for Recovery and Reconstruction in Yemen.”

It is expected to be attended by technicians to provide comments on the document, which includes reconstruction issues in vital areas such as health, electricity, water, housing, the return of displaced people and refugees as well as building the recovery system in the Yemeni society during the peace process.

According to the Minister, the World Bank’s regional department in Yemen and representatives of relevant Yemeni ministries will participate in the one-day workshop.

“We believe that this document is vital and that it is the most important peace-building document in Yemen’s future.”

“Peace can not last in any country if it does not have a national and clear vision for reconstruction and recovery. Since World War II, there have been 144 countries that have witnessed conflicts because they did not have an integrated and agreed vision from the societal parties on reconstruction and recovery, thus increasing the conflict situation,” he further noted.